The Druzy Putting Green: A Rather Odd Piece of Golf Jewelry

At first, I didn't know what to make of it.

The headline presents it as a "Cocktail Ring for the Golf Wife" but the styling seems altogether too rustic to complement a contemporary cocktail dress.  The oxidized silver certainly isn't very shiny, and the Garnet Druzy Uvarovite... that crystallized green rock that represents the putting surface... appears to have seen better days.  However it's the silver flag stick that really renders this ring unwearable. Can you imagine what it would be like to wear a ring like this around town... or even just out to dinner?  I can: with an unwieldy object like that on my finger, I'm quite sure I'd end up hurting someone ...or tearing something.  In any case, I'm quite certain disaster would ensue. Then there's the price: $890.00.  It's not quite in my range.

So when a friend of mine showed me this photo the other day I wasn't too impressed.  However I will admit that it's unique.  So with that in mind, I'm posting it, and those who like unique may wish give this ring a second look here.

Iranian Amateur Open - Golf Tournament Transcends Politics

Mehdi M Shanjani - 2012 Iranian Amateur Open Winner.

Dylan Harris didn't let the naysayers dissuade him.  From the time the idea of an international amateur golf tournament in Iran first came to him, the stalwart British travel and event planner confronted myriad obstacles, but this past weekend The Inaugural Iranian Golf Open took place on schedule at Tehran's Enghelab Golf Course.

Despite the endless political posturing that has pitted the Iranian Government against those of Europe and North America for years, despite a takeover of the British embassy by protesters and an errant US spy drone now in Iranian custody... and the resonant rattling of sabers that accompanied those and other events... Dylan Harris persisted ... and this past weekend, working with the Iranian Golfing Federation, he succeeded in staging the tournament.

We'll have more on this groundbreaking tournament, including interviews and commentary from some of the participants, later in this week, but according to Dylan's latest dispatches Iran's Mehdi M Shanjani, took home the trophy, winning the event by two strokes. In an interesting side note, Mr. Shanjani also happens to own the country's largest chocolate factory.

The real story here, and I think this will be revealed as we hear more from Dylan and other IAO participants, is that the vast majority of Iranians are very friendly and completely open to foreigners, that international travelers feel very safe on the streets of Iranian cities, and that despite tensions and animosity created by politicians and perpetuated by news outlets desperate for drama, people who are passionate about golf... whatever their national origins... can get together and enjoy the game.

I had planned to go to Tehran for the tournament myself but in the end had scheduling conflicts that... when combined with negative reaction from friends and family who surmised it would be unsafe... caused me to cancel.  I'm glad Dylan didn't back out... and I definitely plan to be there for the next event.

Golf Refugees: I Love These Guys & Their Multi-chromatic Balls

We've written about Golf Refugees numerous times over the past few years, which isn't surprising as they tend to come up with innovative, exciting products quite regularly. In addition, their unyielding commitment to environmental sustainability is remarkable... and "making golf greener" is something that anyone who loves the game should be thinking about.

The UK based indie eco golf brand produces an awesome, edgy collection carbon neutral organic cotton polos and t-shirts,  and recently introduced a gorgeous line of hand-dyed, striped polos that one can customize to create a beautiful, bespoke golf shirt.
Golf Refugees also produces the BinBag, my favorite golf accessory... ever.

It was their elegant black balls, however, that first caught my eye several years back, making me an instant fan, and now in the spirit of multi-chromatic awesomeness come spiral graphic golf balls.

"These are golf ball designs from Golf Refugees, I want these more than I want anything" 

That was the immediate response from one of their Facebook fans.  I second the emotion... and their awesome looks are the only things these kaleidoscopic orbs have going for them. According to the ball's designer, the line that's created where the clockwise spiral on one side meets the counter-clockwise spiral on the other, serves as a natural alignment aid. How cool is that?  I'm guessing these balls would be easier to find than less brilliant balls... and I'm hoping the double spiral design may just have a hypnotic effect that'll help me get "into the zone" when I'm standing over it.

Visit Golf Refugees' Facebook page and let them know which of the color combinations you like best.

Valero Texas Open: Historic Tournament, Awesome Photo Op

Last month we wrote about the quintessentially Texan Valero Open and its impending 90th birthday celebration. Well, the tournament/celebration is now underway.

Matt Every's history-making, course-record was a highlight of round one... which certainly gives him reason to celebrate... along with the stellar weather, awesome ancilary activities and ultra-enthusiastic fans, ensure that the excitement will continue through the upcoming weekend.

One of the things I love most about golf is its unique history, so I'm really enjoying the VTO throwback photos.  They feature, modern day folk... presumably volunteers, staffers and fans... posing in old-time golf apparel with golden age golf equipment. The full gallery is on the Valero Texas Open Facebook page as are other timely updates from the San Antonio tournament, and I reccomend you check it out.

If you love golf and can't make to the Lone Star State, it's the next best thing to being there.

The Valero Texas Open on Facebook and Twitter

Guan Tian-lang - Is Golf"s New Young Gun Too Young?

At Age 13, Many Feel Guan Tian-lang is too Young
Photo via GolfToday

One year ago, a 12-year-old by the name of Guan Tian-lang won the inaugural Mission Hills Nike Golf Junior Championship and proudly accepted the trophy from his long-time idol, Tiger Woods.

Both wore red as they stood on the stage together, surrounded by golf officials and Nike executives. Looking back at photos of that day, one gets the sense that the precocious, pubescent winner felt more than ready to assume his share of the stage.

Flash forward a few of hundred days and you'll find Guan Tian-lang, at 13, preparing to play in the Volvo China Open this week ...and poised to become the youngest player in European Tour history.

Having finished fourth in a qualifying event three weeks ago, the prodigious young player was put on a reserve list, and for a short while, feared he'd missed his chance at history.  But his hopes were restored when it was announced that the player who won the qualifier already had a China Open exemption.  So the Tiger trajectory... that began when Guan was introduced to golf at age four by his golf-obsessed, Woods worshiping  Dad...  remains solidly on course.

China golf expert, Dan Washburn wrote a piece for ESPN.com back in 2005 about huge impact Tiger Woods was beginning to have on golf in China. In the article Washburn introduces us to Guan Han Wen, an interior designer from Southern China, who spent a considerable amount of money to bring his wife and son up to Sheshan International Golf Club, outside of Shanghai for HSBC Champions tournament where Tiger would be playing.  His son, you may have surmised, was Tian-lang who, at age 7 had just placed fourth in the 6-and-under division at the Junior World Golf Championships in San Diego. 

The record Guan Tian-lang will break this week at age 13 years and 173 days is currently held by Lo Shik-kai who was about 100 days older when he played in the Hong Kong Open almost a decade ago, and as will be the case anytime such an age record is broken there are questions.  It's a given that child prodigies are compelling to watch and young guns make headlines,  but from an ethical standpoint, when is a young gun too young?

Guan Tian-lang on the front page of the European Tour site

"Are we fools?"

Writing in stellar Spanish golf blog Fuera de Límites Ovidiov Vidal asks that question, and it's clear from his post that when it comes to having children as young as 13... however talented and mature they may be... compete in professional tournaments against top tour players, we are, in fact, fools.  ...and exploitative, self-interested fools at that.

As the father of young children himself the spaniard questions the purpose of encouraging such a young kid to play in a top level tournament.  He points out when you put a 13-year-old in this kind of situation, he stands a chance of being unfairly compared to men who started playing before he was even born and as such this kind of test isn't even a good measure of potential.

What it definitely is... no matter what your opinion is on the ethics of encouraging youngsters to play in adult events... is a news story.  Child prodigies are captivating; they grab ratings, sell tickets and generate buzz but as exciting as an ultra-young star like Guan may be, it's hard not to worry about the pressures that such an early entry into the top levels of any sport or dicipline may bring. After all there have been some epic flame outs that are hard to overlook.


Those stories won't stop Guan Tian-lang and his family from forging ahead this we. Nor will they stop the promoters from promoting him, the media from covering him or the fans from clamoring for him and hopefully this particular 13-year-old will be able to keep it all in perspective.


On the topic of child prodigies a couple of interesting links: The Downside of Being a Child Prodigy
presents Alyssa Quart whose own experiences inspired her to write "Hothouse Kids: The Dilemma of the Gifted Child" and 8 Child Prodigies so Amazing They'll Ruin Your Day and humorous look at prodigies both historical and contemporary who are amazing. And they did ruin my day.

Bubba Watson: Stylistic Shifts & Social Media Lessons

After watching Bubba Watson's shot out of the woods for maybe the 10th time, and seeing him interviewed on several prime time TV shows, I came upon PGA Trending - Sean O'Hair and Bubba Watson's Hair, a post I wrote several years ago.

It was May of 2009 Sean O'Hair had just just won at Quail Hollow... despite the presence of a pre-scandal Tiger in field... and The 2012 Masters champion was still a couple of years away from a PGA Tour win.  However he'd taken a share of second, and he... or more specifically his hair... was trending on a social network called Twitter that had just been proclaimed "the next big thing".  Here's an excerpt:

 

... The inimitable, long hitting Bubba Watson, who also edged out Tiger yesterday when he tied with Lucas Glover for second, was, in fact, trending on Twitter.

And a though he played some excellent golf at Q.Hol, much of the BubbaCentric Twittering was not focused on golf, but on ...other aspects of Mr. Watson's persona. Like his...hair:

You see what I mean? ...And the thing is, this charismatic player has undergone a couple of rather radical stylistic transformations over the years as evidenced by the graphic.

So, now that we're officially on the subject of Bubba Watson's hair, which Bubba do you like best?

So yes, that was three years ago.  Watson now owns a green jacket and when it comes to social media he's being seen as something of an expert, and someone to emulate.  Sree Sreenivasan, of Cnet, claims to have learned a few things about twitter from the nascent golf star, he outlines them in "Five Social Media Lessons from Bubba Watson, Masters Champ".

Naomichi Ozaki & the Curious Case of the Mouthpiece DQ

Naomichi Ozaki Photo Athit Perawongmetha/Getty Images

Out of Japan yesterday came an interesting story. 

It has nothing to do with Ryo Ishikawa... who's currently T16 at the Token Homemate Cup... but instead involves Naomichi Ozaki, a brilliant player at the other end of the age spectrum, playing in the same tournament.

The 55-year-old, known as Joe, has won 32 times on the Japan Tour, has played on the PGA Tour in the 80s and 90s and has recently been playing on the Champions Tour where he's finished 2nd two times. Yesterday however, Ozaki  ran afoul of Rule 14-3.

For those who don't have their rule books handy that's the one that deals with "Artificial Devices, Unusual Equipment and Unusual Use of Equipment".

The "equipment" in question is being described as a "mouthpiece" and here's what I found most interesting: it seems these "mouthpieces" can actually give a player more distance.  From what I understand, the veteran player was discussing the device... and the added distance he got from it... when the realization hit that a mouthpiece, when used for enhancement rather than protection, could be illegal.  Rules officials were asked and ultimately the result was disqualification.

For now I've only found this story in Japanese but I'm guessing there'll be more on it by tomorrow.  In the meantime I'm trying to figure out where I can obtain one of those mouthpieces.

Thank you Minoru Mike Aoki for sharing this unusual story.

Paula Creamer Presents Her Studley Golf Companion

If I had to take a guess at the contents of Paula Creamer's golf bag I'd be thinking there might be some sparkley ball markers... and a supply of pink golf balls. That.. in addition to the kind of equipment that can get it done at the US Women's Open... is the type of thing I'd think of.

What I probably wouldn't think of,  Paula reveals in the video below.

Thank you SAP Sponsors ... for sharing this ultra-cute video!

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Ryo Ishikawa's Engagement Defies Demographic Trends

When he arrived at Tokyo's Narita airport on Sunday, Ryo Ishikawa wasn't dwelling on his disappointment over a missed Master's cut, choosing instead to tell the gathered media of his recent engagement.

"I got engaged last month, to a junior high school classmate," revealed the 20 year old Japanese superstar, without mentioning her name.  Rumors of a Ryo romance first surfaced several months ago and speculation has been rife ever since, but the identity of the fortunate future WAG is still a mystery.

The Japanese press have described her only as "a tall, slender beauty with long black hair".  No photos were released, though it seems she was in fact, in Augusta for the Masters last week, and at Bay Hill for the Arnold Palmer Invitational prior to that, and was introduced a number of her fiance's close friends.

"I'm now 20 years old, so I decided the time was right" Ishikawa told reporters without elaborating.  In Japan, age 20 does hold a special significance as the year one officially comes of age, however the average marrying age in Japan is significantly old than that... 30.5 for Japanese men and 28.8 for Japanese women... and those demographic statistics are a source of concern for many of the country's economists, who worry about the subsequent declining birth rates and aging population.

For Japan it's a continuing conundrum that began quite a while ago.  One look at a chart representing Japan's birth rate over the past several decades makes that clear.  It resembles an ultra-treacherous black diamond ski slope, particularly as it's coupled with substantial increases in Japanese longevity.

The crisis is often attributed, at least in part, to the fact that young people are choosing to get married later... or not at all.   And the government has tried everything from cash incentives to policies that provide more support for working parents. They've even gone so far as to develop a government dating site to help those unable to find Mr./Mrs. Right... and in what is perhaps the cutest/coolest initiative: robot babies.

Getting back to Ryo Ishikawa, he'll be competing at the Token Tado Country Club in Nagoya, Japan this week for the Japan Golf Tour's Token Homemate Cup.  As for his recent announcement though many in the media are writing jokingly about legions of disappointed female admirers, I'm guessing that those saddled with the task of coaxing Japan's birth rate higher were delighted weren't unhappy to hear that one of the country's top role models has decided to marry so young.

Fans can congratulate Ryo on his engagment at his Panasonic site.

Of Green Jackets, Boyfriends and a Bubba-Bieber Bromance

We wrote about the Bubba-Bieber Bromance a few months ago when it was in its early stages. Then, not long ago mega-popstar Justin Bieber revealed (see video above) that he had an ultra-close friendship with Bubba Watson. Soon after Mr. Watson's big Masters win yesterday, a tweet from @JustinBieber offering congratulations:

@bubbawatson proud of u man! congrats! #MASTERS
— Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) April 9, 2012

The youthful Mr. Bieber... by the way... has a new single. The much anticipated Boyfriend made its debut at number two on America's Billboard Hot 100 recently and has been conquering global markets as well. It's not often that a professional golfer gets covered by Access Hollywood... or makes the pages of contactmusic.com or starpulse.com or omg! or... you get my drift. Bubba Watson may be a bit... polarizing... within the rarified world of golf media, but the fact that he can transcend that insular world - thanks in part his friendship with The Biebs - is clearly going to expose the sport to a wider audience. I think the most impressive thing I've read about this relationship is that Justin Bieber is now down to an eight handicap.

Watching the Masters... With a Healthy Dose of Reality

Watching the Masters... on television and online... is not quite the same for me this year.

Augusta National still looks sublime, as it no doubt always will, but this year its sublimity is contained, in a certain sense, by my not-too-distant memories of actually being there.

It's not that the velvety green of the fairways is any less vivid than it was... the azaleas are every bit as bright and the Masters song just as evocative... but for me, there's a difference.

After spending four sultry days there in 2011, strolling narrow paths through the towering loblolly pines, stopping regularly for icy pink lemonades and spending time before and after the tournament in the town of Augusta and the rural countryside that surrounds it, The Masters is real to me now in a way that, makes it more tangible... and consequently, less magical.

If you've attended the tournament you probably know what I mean, or you may have experienced a similar sensation after visiting Paris or Hawaii... or even Disney World... for the first time.  When you grow up hearing, reading and catching carefully edited glimpses of a place purported to be magical, finally visiting that place... in the flesh... inevitably and forever changes the way you think of it.

Up till now my impressions of The Masters, and the classic MacKenzie course it's played on, were based entirely on the florid distillation of stories and imagery that came out of Augusta each year.  It existed in my mind as a completely insular place, a kind of Brigadoon that appeared out of the mist, annually, for one week in early April, then disappeared until the following Spring... when we'd once again be able to briefly experience that cloistered corner of the world with it's well preserved traditions and old-fashioned sensibilities.

The thing is,  I now realize that Augusta National during The Masters does feel magical from the inside.  Like the fictional highland hamlet of Brigadoon it's quaint and beautiful, and the Scottish villagers patrons really do seem to be harboring some sort of mysterious secret.  

Downtown Augusta

However, upon leaving the grounds each day... in the inevitable cloud of bliss a day at the Masters brings with it... a one encounters something a bit unsettling: reality.  It's right outside the gates and it's just the normal reality of life in an American city, and Augusta apart from the Masters is a contemporary Southern river city.  As in many cities though out the US, the big box retailers and ubiquitous chain restaurants make it a tough go for the small independent retailers. In downtown, one comes upon numerous empty store fronts, and some of the charming old wood houses are in woeful disrepair.  Meanwhile gentrification has resulted in leafy suburbs lined with stately homes and a revitalized Riverfront... and the hospitality and charm of the Augustans is truly heartwarming. 

So that's where the reality intersects with the fantasy, and if you're like me, once you've experienced it you'll find your Master's viewing experience has changed, just a bit... which in the end is probably a good thing.

Multifarious Masters Musings from the Folks on Twitter

Last year I was in Augusta at this time.  This year my current writing job has kept me in CT... with a deadline that's making it difficult for me to do more than take an occasional glimpse at the livestream and perform a periodic #Masters Twitter search. 

Augusta... not surprisingly... looks beautiful, but it's way too early to get a sense of how things'll play out.  At least Twitter provided me with a measure of consolation on my current plight.  In the misery-loves-company sense.

Those who find themselves at work... or school... and far from the lush fairways of Augusta may (or may not) take comfort in the fact that they're not alone:

Work is really getting in the way of watching the Masters #worksucks
— Keith Kennedy (@kkgolf32) April 5, 2012

I can certainly relate to that sentiment right now. And these.

Augusta National - A Beauty Both Simple... and Complicated

I posted this last year as I got ready to leave for The Masters. The real thing was more beautiful than I ever imagined, but I'm still impressed by the way this landscape came together.

They call it Golden Bell.  The narrow green...  protected by Rae's Creek in front and a cloud of bright pink azaleas behind... is incredibly beautiful.  Ben Hogan Bridge leads to the cloistered corner and adds a mystical element.

It's no surprise that many artists have been inspired by the 12th hole.  However the artist who created the above representation did so in a rather unique way... and it's quite impressive to watch.  See for yourself.

More from this artist
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Fashion Inspires Fairway Fauna - Women's Golf Style Gets Wild

The plethora of awesome animal prints appearing on golf bags this Spring is a trend that's moved from fashion runways to country club fairways with with the stealth of a mountain lion.

The Spring/Summer 2012 collections presented by top designers last fall, included a diverse array of animal print satchels, clutches, totes and hobo bags from the likes of Gucci, Lanvin and Alexander McQueen... to name just a few. Golf designers have transitioned the trend to create a slew of sophisticated, animal print golf bags.

The same exotic skins appear to have inspired golf apparel designers this season, with everything from leopard trimmed polos to zebra striped skorts.  Lady golfers can also display their wild streak with a myriad of animal print accessories this season.  Be it ball marker or a belt... a cap or visor... you'll probably find it this season.  Oh, and don't forget footware;  zebra striped golf shoes... and multi-species women's golf socks are out there too, so why not give animal prints a try this golf season... and make your walk in the park a bit wilder. 

You can find animal prints galore and so much else at Lori's Golf Shop.  Lori's is one of our stellar sponsors!

Multi-talented Golfer Girl Will Head to Harvard this Fall

Five years ago we wrote about a unique and exciting new magazine for junior golfers. The target audience was girls, age 5 to 17 and Golfer Girl magazine was the work of a single family.

Claude and Michelle Hooton and their three daughters, Libby, Courtney and Chloe Belle... all of them passionate about golf... produced a top quality publication through the fall of 2008, when the economy took its famous nosedive and ad dollars dried up.

At its peak, Golfer Girl had a circulation of 10,000, with subscribers in all 50 states, Mexico and Canada and clearly served its specialized niche very well. A photo from the summer of 1977 shows the girls... aged 16, 13 and 10...  surrounded by stacks of their first issue.  A total of six seasonal issues hit the stands, and one can still view them at golfergirlmagazine.com.

The Hooton sisters may not be writing about golf these days but it's still very much a part of their lives.  Libby, now 20 plays on the golf team at the University of Pennsylvania and 15 year-old Chloe Belle has taken up rowing in addition to golf, but it's middle sister Courtney who's now in the spotlight, making golf history with a ninth consecutive San Diego Junior Golf Association age class triumph and having recently been signed to play collegiate golf at her dream school, Harvard.  The Hootons have an interesting hole-in-one story too. Courtney spoke about it recently from the Kraft Foods Junior Challenge.

Ernie Els, Ryo Ishikawa & the Irksome Masters Invite Issue

11/5/11 - Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images AsiaPac

With the Masters just days away, fans, players and members of the media are weighing in on the 'special invitations' debate.

The crux of the controversy, in the minds of many, seems to have boiled down to the special invitation received by Ryo Ishikawa... and the one not (up to this point) received by Ernie Els.

Interestingly, the two players being pitted against each other in the popular debate, happen to have a special relationship that transcends the current polemic. Having played mercurially together at the 2011 Presidents Cup, the likable duo became known as the "the kid and the veteran" and after two losses,  Els' insistence on keeping the pairing intact, was rewarded when Ishikawa summoned the steely nerves required to birdie the final three holes and win their last match together. 

The Masters, with its limited field and mystical aura, is the event every golfer dreams of,  and an element of controversy surrounding the elusive "special invites" is not uncommon,  with little hope of influencing the powers-that-be in Augusta, the opinionating doesn't ultimately amount to much.  It can, however be divisive... and perhaps counter-productive to the global golf cause... in the end. 

A couple of years ago, the always-outspoken Colin Montgomerie raised the invite issue with his "a la China" comment, which was seen by some players as anti-Asian, and... not surprisingly... offended many.

This year, the majority of players and fans appear to be taking a pragmatic view on the issue of the invite.  Acknowledging the attributes of each of these two players (and other's who barely missed inclusion) most seem to accept the fact that the committee at Augusta does things their own way and isn't likely to acknowledge... much less respond to... complaints, criticism or supplication.

In fact, the powerful men on Magnolia Lane are most likely absorbed with an issue potentially much more controversial than their decision on the 2012 special invitations: her name is Virginia Rometty,
and it's a fair guess she's getting more attention from the committee members then Els and Ishikawa combined. 

Note: Ryo Ishikawa fans (like me) can cheer him on with a personal message... here's how to do it.

Golf Takes the Cake - When a TX Tournament Turns 90

photo: Pinterest/Aundrea Ambeliotis/Mediterra Bakehouse

With Tiger back on track and Yani on fire, golf fans have a lot to be excited about as the major season gets underway  ...and it looks like the sweetness will extend well beyond the fairways and greens this year, thanks to a stellar golf sponsor.

Coming up in mid-April is the unapologetically Texan Valero Texas Open which celebrates its 90th birthday in 2012!  Yes folks, that's Nine-Oh, which clearly calls for a cake, and to that end the tournament has partnered with Pioneer^® Brands.

The oldest family-owned business in Texas... and the oldest continuously operated family-owned milling company in the United States... Pioneer^® Brands produces a wide variety of baking and seasoning mixes, and for the Valero Texas Open they'll be hosting a Celebrity Cake-Off.

Yesterday in a press conference the details were announced : six local celebrity pastry chefs will partner with six pastry students from St. Philips College Culinary School to create a Valero Open birthday cake. The cake must incorporate various elements of the tournament's identity, including its three pillars: music, food and military appreciation. Among myriad awesome prizes, the team with the winning cake will earn a $10,000 donation to the charity of their choice. The remaining team's chosen charities will receive donations ranging from $1,000 to $5,000.

Food Network Star, Duff Goldman will head a panel of celebrity judges, and will also contribute his own version of the VTO birthday cake which will be unveiled following the Cake-Off event on Saturday in the lower lobby of the JW Marriott Resort.

Purchase advance tickets to the Valero Texas Open online at www.valerotexasopen.org or at at participating Valero Corner Store locations. Admission into the Pioneer® Brand Celebrity Cake-Off is free with purchase of Good Any One Day tickets to the tournament.

The event sounds like an awesome way to engage golf fans, their friends and families... and a delicious and creative compliment to the venerable Valero Texas Open.

The Valero Texas Open on Facebook and Twitter

Yani Tseng's Latest Win & An Angry Bird That Yearns to Fly

Yani Tseng's Angry Bird & trophy via Beth Ann Baldry

The symbolism is pretty clear; a small red bird, round and wingless, sits atop a loving cup. Glaring angrily.

The Red Bird is one of the famous Angry Birds and belongs to Yani Tseng, as does the cup, which happens to be the coveted Dinah Shore trophy. The top ranked LPGA star won that elegant piece of hardware at the Kraft Nabisco Championship in 2010... and the scowling bird is perched upon it because last year, in 2011, Tseng narrowly missed winning.  

According to Golf Week's Beth Ann Baldry, who tweeted this with the photo at left back in November, "Yani put an angry bird inside her Kraft replica trophy because she didn't win in 2011".

With a victory today at the Kia Classic... her third win of the still very young 2012 LPGA season... the Taiwanese champion seems to be on track to become a multiple winner of the 2012 Kraft Nabisco next week and jump into Poppie's Pond for a second time. If she does,  I'm guessing she'll take the ill tempered avian with her.

Home Decor for the Single Minded Golfer

Golf Home Decor on Pinterest

"Les gouts et les couleurs ne se discutent pas"

When it comes to home decor, that succinct French expression says it all.  What it means, roughly, is "there's no accounting for taste" but the French version has an authoritative Gallic edge that's untranslatable.

The point however, is ultimately the same, and it's the reason some love decor that's Trendy (modern/minimal) while others embrace the Traditional (old-fashioned/ornate).

That brings me to golf decor... and the third T.   Decorators and wedding planners know what I'm talking about.  The third T stands for Tacky (tawdry/tasteless/trashy) and with golf decor... like any decorating style based on a theme... there's a heightened tackiness risk that requires a bit of restraint. 



Collectible overkill, a plethora of plaid and argyles or too many portraits of Tiger will turn a golf themed room or home into a cloying, Disnefied shrine that would be wearying for even the most avid aficionado.

Parties, weddings and restaurants can take a theme more assertively across furniture, artwork, lighting and accessories to create "an experience".  At home however, the goal is generally day-to-day life and an ambiance that's relaxing and timeless.

These days, decorating ideas from all over the world are being shared online.  Pinterest, the enormously popular new social site I wrote about here a couple of weeks ago, lends itself particularly well to the task.

Early on, I created a Golf Decor board on Pinterest with some images that inspired me. Others have done the same, and while it's true that Les gouts et les couleurs ne se discutent pas" if you're seeking inspiration for decorating with a golf theme, you're bound to find some ideas that work for you.

Some boards and pins to check out:

Masters and Golf Decor Ideas

Golf Parties

Golf Weddings

Wozzilroy Twitter Account Showdown, the Infographic

For the full size infographic, click HERE

They've been an item since last summer. Young, rich, and at the top of their respective games, Rory McIlroy and Caroline Wozniacki are clearly a power couple... "a match made in sports marketing heaven", some have said.

Previous golf/tennis pairings - Martina Hingis and Sergio Garcia, Ana Ivanovic and Adam Scott, Chris Evert and Greg Norman, to name a few - have made a modicum of news, providing good back stories during major events like Wimbledon or the Masters, but... truth-be-told... these love affairs didn't much register beyond the rarefied radar of their respective niche sports.

The Wozniackilroy romance however, has the potential to transcend both golf and tennis thanks to the second nature social media skills of the two appealing protagonists. Their numerous celebrity hybrid names and recent appearances together at parties with the likes of Ronaldo and the Beckhams testify to the couple's growing social media sports star status.

Rumor has it their initial flirtation was conducted on Twitter, and there can be little doubt that both @McIlroyRory and @CaroWozniacki appreciate the value of a timely tweet, but how do they stack up against each other?  Well world rankings-wise, Rory is currently golf's world No.1, while Caroline... who held the No.1 spot in tennis as recently as January... has recently tumbled to No.4.  But who reigns supreme in terms of Twitter temerity? Well, I can tell you that... and I can present it with a colorful, graphically sophisticated visualization thanks to new infographic creation tools from visual.ly... and it looks like Rory's dominating in the Twitterverse too. For the moment. I have a distinct feeling that the fiercely competitive Caroline will be back to  No.1 in the Tennisphere before long, and... who knows... after seeing this perhaps she'll decide to challenge her boyfriend for supremacy in the Twittersphere. In any case, I'm guessing the #Wozzilroy hashtag will be a popular this year.

Follow @CaroWozniacki and @RoryMcIlroy on Twitter.

Multi-tasking Golf Fashion Innovation: Skirt + Tight = Skite

Skirt + Tight = Skite

It's a simple concept. A classic "why didn't I think of that?" idea.

But I didn't, Mary Jane Parrish did.  The enterprising Florida tennis-player-turned-sportswear-designer invented the Skite, a one-piece, multi-tasking skirt/tight hybrid that works wonderfully for golf... and a whole plethora of other activities, athletic and otherwise.

Here's the thing, for the majority of female body types... young, old, large or lean... a short skirt actually creates a flattering silhouette.  However, many women shy away from the look for fear of over-exposure... and that's where the leggings come into play.

Completely opaque and attached to the skirt, they're available in several cuts, from short... to Capri... to ankle-length, allowing a gal to choose the amount of leg coverage that suits her. Plus, with a couple of different fits, three basic solid colors and panoply of prints to choose from, one can customise the look to a particular sport or activity.

Yes, a Skite is quite the versatile vestment.  Have a look at their website theskite.com for additional info and check out their blog skitebuzz.blogspot.com for more on the back story.  Then of course, there's a Skite facebook page to keep you completely up-to-date on all things Skite as they develop.

A hat tip for this great golf fashion find goes to the always observant and sartorially sensitive Courtney Capps, (who always looks great in his Khakis).

Skites hit the tennis courts -  Fairways are the next frontier

The Golf Poet Pens Panegyrical Prose for Michelle Wie

It was almost three years ago that I first came upon Golf Poet a delightful golf poetry/golf history blog that always lifts my spirits.

The editor is Leon White, a true Renaissance man with a passion for golf and a love of poetry... and the generosity to share both in frequent, cleverly-crafted posts on his enchanting blog.

Almost a year ago, in April 2011, the Golf Poet released Golf Course of Rhymes - Links between Golf and Poetry Through the Ages a wonderfully rich and engaging book, based on his blog. 

Last week I received an email from Mr. White.  The multi-faceted scribe had just written a poem for Michelle Wie in honor of her upcoming graduation from Stanford University... and he remembered my well documented years as a Wie Warrior.

"I thought she deserved poetic recognition for her achievements and best wishes for a great post-graduate career in golf and otherwise."

That's the way the golf poet puts it on his blog and the resulting poem is... to use an over-used word... awesome.  Read For Michelle Wie here.

International Women's Day - A Couple of Golf Blogs to Follow

Forest Hills Ladies Circle Photo: ©Monique A. Ignacio

If you've paid a visit to the worlds most popular search engine today you may have noticed a modern multi-chromatic rendering that features a flower and the female gender symbol.  That would be the  Google Doodle for March 8, 2012 decked out for International Women's Day.

More than thirty years ago,  March 8th officially became the UN Day for women's rights and world peace.  The occasion will be marked in various ways by women's groups around the world.

For the social media communicators among us, a twitter hashtag, #digitalheroines has been established as part of a viral campaign to promote the presence of women in technology fields where, as yet they're substantially underrepresented.

Tweeting with this hashtag is a way to sign on to the International Women's Day statement of Neelie Kroes, Vice President of the European Commission, and the woman in charge of digital policy for Europe.  Though originating in Europe, it's a message applicable across the globe. "The Digital World is for Everyone".

The empowerment of women and the recent rise of digital technology have changed our world for the better. Now it is time to bring these two revolutions together.
You may have heard of Moore's law, but what about a more women law?
Technology should not be a boy's and man's world. Our technology gurus and heroes cannot be limited to men. It's a digital world now and the digital world is for everyone. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. 

In that vein, I'd like to tell you about a couple of golf blogs that inspire me with their support of women's golf (which is way underreported vs. men's golf) and their engaging female focus:

Tenerife Ladies Open ©DogLegMedia

Dog Leg Media is a media initiative from Poodle, the fashion forward golf apparel company we've written about here a couple of times in the past. In addition to their awesome clothing line, Poodle is a company with a real commitment to the women's game. They sponsor several professional golfers and Ladies European Tour events attending numerous tournaments each year, and have now established photo library of unique high quality images that they offer to media outlets, businesses and fans. Their aim is to encourage newspapers and magazines to write about womens golf and more fans to follow and support the girls.

The Dog Leg Media Blog is a great way to see the women LET in action... on some of the most beautiful courses in the world.

And speaking of beautiful courses... and gregarious golf girls... and stunning photography,  if you don't follow Girl Golfing! you're missing out on an ultra-vibrant glimpse of the exciting women's golf scene in the Philippines.

Throughout the weekend I'll add links to some of the unique other blogs that I feel reflect the International Women's Day mission. If you have any... please feel free to add them in a comment.

Ryo Ishikawa Will Soon Be Seen in Nike Casual Wear (updated)

Ryo Ishikawa With Nike Sportswear Creative Director (c) NIKE

Update: Ryo receives a Masters invite!...also check out his new comercial for Asahi Dry Zero a new 0.00% alcohol, beer-tasting beverage.
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Over the past couple of years we've watched Ryo Ishikawa become a truly global golfer. 

He's played all over the world, bringing his whimsical, multi-chromatic style... and an ever-growing gaggle of Japanese journalists... to the top tournaments on multiple contents. - To the extent that it's often hard to keep track of the young superstar. - Right now Mr. Ishikawa is in Puerto Rico for the PGA Tour's Puerto Rican Open,  he'll then head to Florida for the Transitions Championship and the Arnold Palmer Invitational.  Currently ranked 54th, and four places short of qualifying for the Masters, Ryo will be playing these next few weeks for a spot in the field at Augusta.

Japan's number one golfer seems to have magical powers be able to turn on a dime... getting from one end of the earth to another in record time. His appeal seems to transcend boarders as well earning him avid fans everywhere he goes. It's therefore no surprise to hear he's been pursued by top global brands.

In fact, the Japanese phenom just signed a contract with Nike and will soon be wearing "casual shoes and sportswear" from the iconic brand as part of a global campaign designed to convey the importance of "realizing one's dreams through various challenges".  The tenacious 20 year-old golf champion... who's also known to excel on soccer fields and ski slopes... is clearly a perfect poster boy for this message.

As always, the intrepid Noriko Imano filled me in on this story. She also sent me a link to this exuberant Asahi ad. 
 

Number 1 Rors - The Awesome Ascension of Mr. McIlroy

Tiger Woods had the best final-round of his life at the windblown Honda Classic today, though he ultimately finished tied for second behind Rory McIlroy.  Some are saying it feels like the "dawn of a new golfing era," but before we go there,  let's look back, two... two-and-a-half years... to late September 2009.

A mere month before the ill-fated intersection of an Escalade and a Fire Hydrant,  golf was Tiger Woods and everyone else. He had no sustainable rivals.  Rory McIlroy had just turned twenty and was winding up a year of firsts - first win, first Masters, first Players Championship.  I wrote the post below at that moment in time, and rediscovering it today brought back the decidedly more innocent era when Tiger reigned supreme and Rory was the impish Ulsterman who swilled Champers and celebrated victory with his childhood sweetheart.

Rory McIlroy's Autumnal Weekend... Under Monty's Watchful Eye - September 29, 2009

 He wore dorky cool looking shades and whispered into his cell phone.

I'm guessing it was his girlfriend on the other end, wondering how things were going in Paris. Girlfriends do tend to wonder about such things... it's part of normal girlfriend behavior... particularly if you're dating a rapidly rising star like Rory Mcilroy... and you're only 16, like Holly is.

At Saint-Nom-La Breteche golf course, the weekend featured a pure cerulean sky and forests tinged with a warm ocherous glow. The International field was energized and upbeat, and the boys were getting on really well. However, for young Rory the mood this dazzling Autumn weekend was tempered by the disquieting presence of Colin Montgomerie.

Monty was in Paris to assess players for his 2010 Ryder Cup team and was already irked by the absence of a few guys he felt should have been in there, but weren't.

Rory also realized that his own reckless statement about the Ryder Cup was still fresh in the curmudgeonly captain's mind as well. It had been a careless thing to say; to refer to the revered Ryder Cup as an "exhibition match".

Yes, for a brief moment Rory had found himself channeling Tiger...then quickly realized Tiger would never have made the statement publicly. So there had been the backtracking, the smoothing things over, and on the surface everything seemed to be OK on this Autumnal French golf course, but Rory wasn't completely at ease. 



Once the matches got underway, and a fifth consecutive victory began to seem likely for Great Britain/Ireland, Rory felt like he could finally chill, and by the time he got to his match with Henrik Stenson... the match he wanted all week... he was able to win it, and win accolades from the international assemblage of top golfers. What's more, the once skeptical Mr. Montgomerie was now saying he wanted Rory Mcilroy out first for the Europeans at Celtic Manor... Rory would be asked to lead the charge as a Ryder Cup rookie.

So finally, in the waning Sunday afternoon sunshine the impish Ulsterman got to enjoy a bit of that idyllic weekend in France. He swilled champagne right out of the bottle and called Holly. Told her he missed her... and his new Ferrari. She laughed, the way shy 16-year-olds do. Knowing her boyfriend was destined for greatness but not knowing quite how to feel about it.

As for Rory himself, he's headed to Scotland and the Old Course at St Andrews for the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. Implausible as it may sound, he finds the Old Course easy. After all, he's played it 15 or 20 times... and the worst he's ever scored there in either his armature or professional career was a 69.

There's so much more I could write about Rory Mcilroy and his unique gift for golf. It'll be fascinating to watch him evolve... from this indian summer weekend at the beginning of his career... to whatever lofty heights he may reach over the next decade.

Photos: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images ❀ ❀

A New Back9Network Blog & Some Tantalizing Highlights

On March 1, Back9Network went live with their new blog, back9nation.com.

It's another step towards the birth of a brave new golf/lifestyle network.  The new highlight reel provides a glimpse of what the Back9Network plans to present live on TV, Internet and mobile devices by late spring/early summer.  Over the next couple of weeks their blog will feature new pilots, promos and profiles, then later this month the official Back9network website will go live with and take it to the next level, so to speak.  Staunch traditionalists and ardent feminists be warned: this may not be your cup of tea.  Everyone else: get ready to be entertained by a fresh new take on golf programing.

The Back9Network's mission is "to change the culture and perception of golf by opening up the sport and making it more fun and inclusive".  Stay tuned their blog for more as summer approaches.

Golf Style: Persistent Perceptions of Sartorial Shortcomings

The Boys of the Bad Pants Open

A reputation, once it becomes ingrained in the minds of the masses, can be almost impossible to shake... and golf, over the years, has developed a sartorial reputation that's decidedly sordid.

Thanks to decades of garish polyester pants, generations of dorky saddle shoes and endless incidents of argyle abuse, golf fashion has become a joke in the minds of many... with Rodney Dangerfield in Caddyshack as its poster boy.  The perception persists, particularly among those who don't follow the sport, despite the wealth of sophisticated golf styles available today from top designers and a roster of young golf stars with who could hold their own on the runways of Paris as well as the fairways of Augusta National.

"Golf style is an oxymoron along the lines of airline food or congressional ethics."

So began a review of Nike's new Dunk NG Golf Shoes in Freshness, a new style/trend/consumer publication that addresses itself to a discerning community of global consumers.  The shoes, which were recently released in Japan, are of the popular street shoe/casual/sneaker-like variety, in other words, the antithesis of the aforementioned dorky saddle shoes and the review, after beginning with that inauspicious comparison ended on an optimistic note:

"... the brand is doing what it can to rehabilitate golf’s image. This Dunk NG, equipped with Scorpion Stinger Spikes and Tri-LOK system, features a crisp White/Court Green-Black colorway that injects a modicum of street style to the gentleman’s game. They still don’t make golf cool, but it’s a start."

The reviewer... by the sounds of it... isn't much into golf, and his perceptions are probably pretty representative of the non-golfing public in general.  For those of us more immersed in the sport - as spectators or players - it may be unsettling to think that despite the best efforts of designers like Tommy Hilfiger, Lacoste and Ralph Lauren... and even with stars like Ricky Fowler, Rory McIlroy and Ryo Ishikawa... golf, in the minds of many, still isn't considered cool.

Of Impressive Golf Trophies and Amazing Wedding Cakes

The sky blue Wedgwood cup that Hunter Mahan won yesterday at the WGC Accenture Match Play Championship, is one of golf's most distinctive trophies.

Named after golden age golf legend Walter Hagen, it will be the second piece of Wedgwood on Mr. Mahan's trophy shelf.

in 2010 Mahan won the WGC Bridgestone Invitational, and took home the yellow-and-black Wedgwood Gary Player Cup.  You see, each of the four World Golf Championship events boasts  a distinctive Wedgwood trophy.  They're all  designed in a variation of the distinctive Jasperware style, inspired by cameo glass and embellished with ancient roman motifs ... and each bears the name of a famous golfer. 

After winning in Arizona yesterday Mahan suggested that it would be nice to have all four of the WGC trophies eventually. In the meantime there's an impressive new trend in wedding cake design based on the same Portland blue Jasperware style that inspired the Accenture trophy... and an astounding variety of towering Wedgwood cakes can be found on the websites of wedding planners and lifestyle experts.

As you may know Hunter Mahan married his beautiful wife Kandi just last year.  But if the couple should decide to renew their vows, they may wish to select a blue and white color scheme... and a cake to match their latest trophy.